04 19 24 Vol. 45 No. 34

St. Joseph in Olpe has new parish life center blessed NEW BEGINNINGS

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

OLPE — There were smiles all around as St. Joseph parishioners entered their new Parish Life Center here on April 7 after Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann cut the yellow ribbon spanning the front doors.

The blessing and dedication of the new building took place after a 9 a.m. Mass celebrated by the archbishop and concelebrated by pastor Father Mohan Bathineni. Deacon Philip Nguyen was master of ceremonies.

At the end of Mass, Father Bathineni thanked God for his provident help and praised the efforts of his parishioners.

“Today, I would like to thank each and every one of you in person for your generosity, support and sacrifice,” he said.

He also thanked Archbishop Naumann for his support and that of the archdiocese, the builders of the new building and previous pastors for the

leadership that made the day possible. As the crowd made its way across the street to the new center after Mass, the

bittersweet memories of the old parish school, which formerly stood on the site, made way for the new achievement.

“It seems not too long ago we were gathered here for the final time with the old school building,” said Archbishop Naumann, after a Scripture reading and before the blessing.

“You auctioned off a lot of items that helped contribute to pay for this building,” he added. “But it’s beautiful to see this resurrection at this Easter time of this new building you’ve constructed.”

Following customs from Father Bathineni’s native India, Archbishop Naumann was presented with a bouquet of flowers, a garland of flowers around his neck and a tallit on his shoulders.

The tallit, a fringed Jewish prayer shawl, featured a design of black, gold and gray lines on white cloth. There were Hebrew letters on the four corners.

The first event held in the new center was a brunch with pastries and drinks. The first layperson to enter after the ribbon-cutting was Angie Bolz, the

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and Father Mohan Bathineni, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Olpe, stand outside the new St. Joseph Parish Life Center before the ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 7. The building sits on the site of the old parish school building, which was demolished to make way for the parish center.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Father Mohan Bathineni, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Olpe, thanks everyone for their efforts to make the new parish center a reality.

Join me for a powerful public witness to our faith at Behold KC

During this Easter season, many of our children are receiving the Eucharist for the first time. It is beautiful to witness their enthusiasm and excitement to receive the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

It is almost 70 years since I made my first Communion. I still have memories of that day. My family was very excited for me. I was showered with gifts and congratulations. I had been well prepared for the sacrament. I was aware that I was receiving Jesus, the Lord of lords and King of kings. I longed to receive God that day.

I also remember being underwhelmed with the actual taste of the Blessed Sacrament. It was not distasteful but just very ordinary. I am not certain what I was expecting. At the time, my favorite foods were probably M&M’s, Hershey’s chocolate and ice cream. Though my favorite foods have remained constant through my lifetime, hopefully my faith has matured during those almost 70 years!

The Eucharist is a continuation of the Incarnation — God immersing himself into our humanity. The Creator of the cosmos reveals a remarkable humility by choosing to become an embryo in the womb of Mary, being born into the humble circumstances of Bethlehem, growing

ARCHBISHOP

JOSEPH F. NAUMANN

up in the small, insignificant town of Nazareth, spending most of his adult life as a laborer — a carpenter — and exercising his public ministry in a small geographic area that was in the obscure backwaters of the mighty Roman Empire.

The Second Person of the Triune God further humbled himself by submitting to the cruel humiliation of being executed as a common criminal on Calvary. Why? In order that you and I might know the depth of God’s love for us and have access to divine mercy. It is this great act of amazing love that is made present to us at each and every Mass. It should not surprise us that this God, who pursued us by becoming a human being in order that we could share in his divine and eternal life, would also devise a way to be present to human beings through all time. Nor should it startle us that

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

Jesus chose to make himself present to us in a very humble and unassuming manner.

The church in the United States is in the midst of a three-year national pastoral initiative to foster Eucharistic Revival, a reawakening for the miracle that occurs at each and every Mass. St. John Paul II wrote his last encyclical letter on the Eucharist in the hope of fostering among all Catholics what he termed “eucharistic amazement.”

In his encyclical, St. John Paul quoted St. Ignatius of Antioch, who described the Eucharist as “an antidote for death and a medicine for immortality.” Meditate on those words for a few moments. Every time we receive holy Communion, we are receiving “an antidote for death and a medicine for immortality.”

On Saturday, May 4, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is co-sponsoring with the Diocese of Kansas CitySt. Joseph in Missouri a local experience of Eucharistic Revival. Behold KC promises

to be an inspiring and historic eucharistic celebration in the heart of Kansas City. It will be held on the North Lawn of the World War I Museum and Memorial, across from Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.

The site is a historic gathering place for the Kansas City metro community — a place of celebration and civic pride. It is also a place where last February, during the Super Bowl victory celebration, we were tragically reminded of our broken world and our desperate need for God’s mercy and healing.

The date and site were chosen because, on May 4, 1941, when our nation was on the verge of entering World War II, tens of thousands of Kansas City Catholics gathered for prayer and eucharistic adoration at this same place. We want to reclaim prayerfully and consecrate this space as holy ground for the people of Missouri and Kansas.

Behold KC will begin at 4 p.m. with local choirs leading us in prayer with inspirational music. Priests from both Kansas and Missouri will be available for the sacrament of reconciliation (confessions) from 4-6 p.m. The rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. and Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m. After Mass, from 8-9 p.m., there will be a time of eucharistic adoration. The closing ceremony will be at 9 p.m. Behold KC will conclude at 9:30 p.m.

Please go to the Behold KC website for more information about the event, parking options and other important details. Plan to bring your own seating (camp chairs, blankets, etc.), as there will be only limited seating available.

I have given pastors permission to cancel their Saturday evening vigil Masses so that our priests and parishioners can attend. Of course, our parishes will have their usual Sunday Mass schedule. For the convenience of elderly parishioners, some parishes will have Saturday evening Mass.

Several parishes will have buses transporting parishioners

April 19

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN’S CALENDAR

Eucharistic Revival bishops’ advisory group

April 21

Scouting Awards Mass — cathedral

April 22

Confirmation — Church of the Ascension, Overland Park

April 23

Administrative Team meeting — chancery

Confirmation — Church of the Ascension, Overland Park

April 24

Eucharistic adoration — Hayden High School, Topeka Deposit and Loan board of trustees meeting

Confirmation — St. Agnes, Roeland Park

April 25

Confirmation — Holy Trinity, Lenexa

April 26

Day of Atonement Mass for sexual abuse victims

— Savior Pastoral Center

to Behold KC. Please check with your parish about plans to participate, as well as confession and Mass schedules for the May 4-5 weekend.

This is an incredible opportunity to join with Catholics from Kansas and Missouri to pray together and celebrate the gift of the Eucharist. It is also a chance to give witness of our faith in God and our love for Jesus to the entire Kansas City Metro community.

It always intrigues me that people will gather in the tens of thousands for athletic events. In the case of football, in the freezing cold, people gather hours before a game to tailgate. Tens of thousands show up for concerts of celebrated musical artists.

They not only show up for these events, but they pay a small fortune for the privilege to attend. Just a week ago, Sporting KC played a soccer game with tens of thousands in attendance at Arrowhead because the legendary soccer star, Lionel Messi, was playing for the opposing team.

I am praying that thousands of Catholics will show up for Behold KC on May 4. What a beautiful opportunity for each of us to give public witness to the importance of our Christian faith and our love for the real

presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. There is no cost, other than your time.

In 1979, when Pope John Paul II made his first pastoral visit to Poland, more than a million people crowded into Warsaw’s Victory Square for the celebration of Mass. Still under the rule of atheistic communism, more than a million people began to chant: “We want God!” This was the beginning of the collapse of communism in Poland and the end of the so-called Iron Curtain that kept so many enslaved to godless regimes.

On May 4, we will have the opportunity to make a powerful public statement that God is at the center of our lives, that we believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, that we love the gift of our Catholic faith and that we believe and treasure the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

In a culture and a society that in so many ways seems to be turning away from God, we have the opportunity to proclaim that Kansas City wants God, loves God and worships God. Jesus Christ will be present — body, blood, soul and divinity. How about you? Do you have something more important to do than receive an antidote for death and a medicine for immortality?

Campus center dedicated to encountering Christ

By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org

EMPORIA — Form the Swarm. That was the theme of the first true gala of the Didde Catholic Campus Center held April 6 at the Lyon County History Center and Museum here.

The theme was a nod to the reason for the campus center’s existence in the first place — that of forming young Catholics to live for Christ — as well as a play on the university’s mascot, the hornet.

Dedicated on April 1, 1990, by Archbishop Ignatius J. Strecker, the Didde Catholic Campus Center is the spiritual home to Catholic students enrolled at Emporia State University, as well as university faculty, staff and many in the wider Emporia community.

The evening, funded in part by a grant from the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, began with evening Mass celebrated in St. Theresa’s Chapel by Father Nicholas Ashmore, director and chaplain of the campus center. Mass was followed by a social hour, dinner and a short program emceed by Matthew Howe, an associate professor at the university. Howe started his association with the campus as a student at the university and is now a parishioner, along with his wife and children.

“Tonight, we want to share with you how the Didde Center is serving Emporia State students, and we invite you in this mission,” Howe said.

In his homily, Father Ashmore reflected on the Gospel reading recounting St. Thomas the Apostle’s doubt of the resurrection to his encounter with the risen Jesus.

“It’s a blessed chance that the readings for today are so perfect for this gathering because that’s the same thing we try to do here at Didde for all our students. We try to help them have an encounter with Christ and then lead them to that question: ‘Do you believe, or do you not believe?’ This is a question that they have to ponder in their hearts,” Father Ashmore said.

Later, he added that one of the most

beautiful aspects of his ministry is getting to walk alongside the students on their individual journeys of faith.

“What is the essence? What is it that you want to do here for the students?” he asked. “I think it comes back to that fundamental question, to prepare them to be able to say, ‘My Lord and my God’ when God poses the question to them, ‘Who do you say that I am?’ That’s fundamentally what we do here.”

As part of the program, gala attendees watched a short video about the campus center featuring interviews with students and staff members interspersed with the Gospel account of

the disciples on the road to Emmaus by alum Abbey Weber, the center’s development director.

After the video, attendees heard from Jessica Wilson, the center’s current student council president.

A public high school graduate from Rose Hill, Wilson said she had been involved in many activities within her home diocese of Wichita, but starting college can come with a lot of anxiety and fears. Such was the position she was in three years ago.

“I knew that there was a Newman center at Emporia State, and I knew I was going to be a part of it, but I didn’t know what that community looked like or what I could find here,” Wilson said.

“Before our school year even started, that community found me,” she added.

While participating in a eucharistic adoration night the summer before starting ESU, Wilson said a friend introduced her to a student who was active in the Didde Catholic Campus Center. That young woman immediately befriended Wilson and invited her to activities at the campus center. That was three years ago.

These days, the two young women are the best of friends. Another “absolute joy,” for her, said Wilson, is the Bible study for freshmen women that she leads.

“The Didde Center has changed my life — and I can see the way it is changing the lives of my girls in my Bible study,” she said.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY KENNY RODRIGUEZ

Father Nicholas Ashmore, right, director and chaplain of the Didde Catholic Campus Center at Emporia State University, and Matthew Howe, an associate professor at Emporia State, kick off a short program as part of the center’s first gala held April 6 at the Lyon County History Center and Museum in downtown Emporia.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY KENNY RODRIGUEZ

Father Nicholas Ashmore celebrates Mass in St. Theresa’s Chapel at the Didde Catholic Campus Center before the start of the gala.

PICTURE PERFECT

Longtime Leaven freelancer joins the archdiocesan communications department

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — As he drives across northeast Kansas en route to a photography assignment, Jay Soldner doesn’t tune in to the radio or pass the time with a podcast.

“On the way there, I pray for grace,” he said.

“When I get to an assignment,” said Soldner, “unless it’s something unfolding right in front of me, I usually get there and sit for a little bit and take it all in until I can get a sense of what needs to be captured.”

Soldner has captured events of all kinds as a freelance photographer for The Leaven for the past eight years.

On Feb. 19, he became a full-time photographer and videographer for the archdiocesan communications department.

In this role, Soldner will continue photographing for The Leaven. He’ll also be responsible for taking photos and videos for the archdiocesan website, social media, campaigns and events.

“The office of communications serves as the bridge between the archdiocese and parishes,” said Marissa Easter, director of communications.

“Jay’s role is vital in being able to tell the visual story of all the wonderful and inspiring things happening within our church,” she added.

Soldner, his wife Thuy and their sons — Alexander, 14, and Andrew, 11 — are parishioners at Corpus

TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO [PHOTOGRAPHY] FOR WORK IS AMAZING. BUT THEN TO COUPLE THAT WITH MY FAITH IS REALLY FANTASTIC.

JAY SOLDNER ARCHDIOCESAN PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER

Christi Parish in Lawrence.

Adventurous at heart, he enjoys hiking, skiing and playing golf.

His agility has been an asset to his work for The Leaven, which often requires him to contort his body to capture the best angle or weave quietly through a packed church.

“It’s all fun for me because it’s always new and challenging trying to get something that’s not mundane,” said Soldner.

He aims to capture “something that tells the story or evokes emotion or has the reader and viewer think a little more deeply about it.”

Some of his favorite assignments for The Leaven have been photographing Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s visits with inmates at the Lansing Correctional Facility and consecrations to religious life.

“The juxtaposition of those extremes is just something that doesn’t happen in any other job,” said Soldner.

Soldner has traveled to nearly every parish and school in the archdiocese.

“They all have their own personality,” he said. “And so, that’s been really cool to experience.”

His artistic interest began when he was a child looking at National Geographic and Sports Illustrated magazines.

“I never really read much of the articles,” said Soldner. “I just found myself captivated by photography.”

He initially dreamed of becoming a photographer for an NFL team. In college, he discovered another inspiration: Robert Frank and his book “The Americans.”

“The photos in that book just spoke to me on a deep level,” he said, “and I felt really connected to it.”

Now as a professional photographer himself, Soldner is grateful.

“To be able to have the opportunity to do that for work is amazing,” he said. “But then to couple that with my faith is really fantastic.”

His zeal is clear to Easter.

“When you speak with Jay about his role, his face lights up,” she said, “and you can see it means so much more to him than just being a job.

“This passion carries over into the end product of his work. His photos and videos are not only excellent in quality, but he has a special eye and is able to capture unique moments.”

Easter believes Soldner’s work is a critical part of the archdiocesan mission.

“Having strong photography and engaging videos are essential in being able to engage our audiences,” she said. “We are enhancing all of our communications strategies, and Jay plays a vital role in this.”

Sharon and Mark Boranyak, members of Christ the King Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on April 20 with family and friends at Sacred Heart Church hall in Topeka. The couple was married on April 20, 1974, at Sacred Heart Church, Topeka.

Damian and Kristine (Ronnebaum) Enneking, members of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a family trip to Branson, Missouri. The couple was married on April 20, 1974, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Seneca. Their children are: Ryan Enneking, Brandy Enneking and Alex Enneking.

Ralph and Janet (Burns) Golubski, members of Christ the King Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on April 20 with Mass at 4 p.m. at the parish followed by a reception in Davern Hall. Their children are: Kelley and Doug. They also have two grandchildren.

ANNIVERSARY SUBMISSIONS

POLICY: The Leaven prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th anniversary notices. DEADLINE: 10 days before the desired publication date.

WHERE TO SUBMIT: Email: todd.habiger@theleaven.org.

Catholic App Series

Relevant Radio

Listen live to Relevant Radio directly from the app. Users will also find a schedule, list of stations, articles with audio options and opportunities to give a financial donation.

— By Moira Cullings

SOLUTION

LEAVEN PHOTO BY MOIRA CULLINGS

On Feb. 19, Jay Soldner became a full-time photographer and videographer for the archdiocesan communications department. Soldner is a longtime Leaven freelance photographer.

‘Dress for Success’ partners teach job readiness skills

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — As they left the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) here on April 6, “Dress for Success” participants were invigorated by all they had learned.

Among the bustling crowd, Caitlin Fitzpatrick was beaming.

“It has been so rewarding, so amazing,” said Fitzpatrick, who spearheaded the event. “I could not have asked for anything more.”

Fitzpatrick is a doctoral student in the occupational therapy program at KUMC’s School of Health Professions.

The “Dress for Success” health and wellness fair for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities was one component of her capstone project.

She partnered with The Golden Scoop, a nonprofit ice cream and coffee shop in Overland Park that provides meaningful employment for individuals with disabilities, where she works as its operations manager.

Several community partners donated their time and resources to make the event a success for the 30 men and women who participated.

Activities at multiple stations taught them more about job readiness skills, like communication, fitness, healthy snacks and hygiene.

In a separate conference room, their caregivers listened to presentations and learned of resources related to ABLE accounts, special-needs trusts and more.

“Dress for Success” was part of The Golden Scoop University training program, which is defined by four pillars: professionalism, health and wellness, interpersonal skills and on-the-job training skills.

“One of the things we noticed at The Golden Scoop was our ‘Super Scoopers’ didn’t know what health and wellness activities really were,” said Fitzpatrick,

“but they had a desire to learn. “It’s really about establishing those resources and sharing information with this population. There’s nothing really out there like this for them.”

Many Golden Scoop employees, known as “Super Scoopers,” were eager to soak in the experience.

And with the shop’s plans to open a second location near 103rd and 69 Highway in Overland Park this summer, the event also drew in “Super Scooper” hopefuls.

“Health and wellness is something that we promote heavily at The Golden Scoop,” said co-founder Amber Schreiber, “because a lot of our employees want to work longer hours, but they don’t have the stamina.

“We try and encourage them to eat right, exercise [and] bring healthy snacks in when they have a

longer shift.”

Schreiber and her fellow co-founder and sister Lindsay Krumbholz graduated from Overland Park’s St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

Schreiber said the school’s service hour requirements set the tone for the two sisters to strive to make a difference in their community.

“I think that laid the foundation for Lindsay and [me],” she said, “and that has stuck with us throughout our journey here with The Golden Scoop.”

Since opening their first shop in 2021, the pair has relied on community members like occupational therapists,

who understand the unique needs of their employees and can set them up for success.

Fitzpatrick was grateful for the encouragement she received from the sisters to take this project and make it her own.

She hoped the participants walked away with a greater understanding of positive lifestyle habits like healthy snacking and hygiene routines.

“And I hope that they also feel more comfortable talking and engaging in social activities within the community,” she said, “because that’s so important and also encourages continued physical fitness and wellness in your life.”

Years of planning pay off with beautiful new center

>> Continued from page 1

parish secretary, who wanted to help with the brunch.

“It’s seemed years since we began planning for our parish hall, and now it’s here,” she said. “I couldn’t be more happy.”

Father Bathineni became pastor on July 1 last year and construction began soon after he arrived. The building was completed at the end of February although new kitchen equipment was installed later.

Construction of the $2.3 million building was paid for with a loan from the archdiocese, parish savings, fundraising (including parishioner pledges) and proceeds from the auction of the old school’s century accumulation of items.

The 6,670-square-foot one-story building consists of a main hall with a table seating capacity for 96 people, five 9-10 person study rooms, two 15-30 person study rooms, a quilt/study room, restrooms, a kitchen, storage space, a parish administration office and pastor’s office. The main hall has a peaked roof with exposed wooden beams and a finished concrete floor.

A roofed pavilion attached to the back of the building is planned for a later date.

The general contractor was BHS Construction of Manhattan, and the architect was HTK Architects of Topeka. Rex Adams, a parishioner and

project executive for BHS Construction, viewed the event with satisfaction.

“It’s beautiful,” he said. “It’s great seeing everyone here, seeing the dream come to fruition.”

The exterior of the square building

features waist-high brick veneer and a gray, wood exterior. The most striking feature is the entrance. It includes stone salvaged from the old 1921 school, and the design echoes the profile familiar to generations of St. Joseph parishioners.

Lifelong parishioner Michelle Barnhart saw some important symbolism in the incorporation of salvaged elements in the new building, as well as the event itself.

“It’s a blessing,” said Barnhart, who attended the school as a child, taught in the school as an adult and sent her children to the school. “I was struck by a number of analogies while we were at Mass.

“This is the perfect time of year to celebrate the opening of this building because there was a lot of death and resurrection we went through in closing down a school, tearing down a building and building a new facility that would serve us in our mission moving forward.

“We had the story of doubting Thomas [in the day’s Gospel] and I’m sure we had a lot of doubters along the way. This is testimony of our trust in Jesus on Divine Mercy Sunday. Everything is as it should be.”

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Archbishop Naumann wears a garland of flowers around his neck and a tallit on his shoulders in accord with the customs of Father Bathineni’s native India.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY MOIRA CULLINGS

Annie Block makes a no-bake energy bite during the “Dress for Success” event at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, on April 6. The health and wellness fair, spearheaded by Caitlin Fitzpatrick, provided a variety of educational activities for all who attended.

NFP: An authentic language of a woman’s health and fertility

By Meghan Ascher Special to The Leaven

“Ihave met with couples of all faiths and backgrounds,” said Catie Klocke, a Creighton Model natural family planning (NFP) practitioner, “some who have found [natural family planning] as a last resort before IVF [in vitro fertilization].”

“Being a witness of hope and options that can be life-giving is a blessing,” said the practitioner, who specializes in postpartum tracking.

The archdiocese asks every engaged couple to take an introductory NFP class as a part of their marriage preparation. Why? What is the importance of learning about one or more of the three main NFP methods the Creighton Model, the Marquette Method or the sympto-thermal method?

According to an OSV News article by reporter Gina Christian, “NFP emphasizes ‘the role of sex in marriage, and the cooperation of husband and wife in procreation.”

Dr. Katie McAnany, clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at UMKC and Marquette Method instructor, agrees.

“God has written into a woman’s body such a beautiful rhythm. Unlocking its mysteries is one of the greatest joys I’ve been lucky to have as a doctor,” she said.

There is a learning curve with each method, and there are teachers/practitioners for individualized instruction for each one.

“All NFP methods,” Christian’s article goes on to say, “which unlike artificial contraceptives, can be used to either achieve or avoid pregnancy, focus on biomarkers indicating when the female body is most or least likely to conceive.”

Learning how to read these biomarkers and data points can take some time and effort, but gaining this knowledge empowers women and couples to intelligently and prayerfully participate in the Lord’s plan for their lives.

“Having information and data about what is happening in your body is one of the main benefits,” said Klocke.

While single women are welcomed by practitioners to learn NFP, couples are also encouraged to learn their chosen method together. When the husband grows to recognize the movement and rhythms of his spouse’s body, it can unlock for them a deeper intimacy within their marriage.

How are women and couples deciding which method to learn?

In addition to the introductory class, many start on the relevant page of the website of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, a resource for all the providers in the area.

“If they want to learn more, tell them to come talk to me” was the common response of interviewees. Providers are open and willing to share their knowledge because they believe so strongly in NFP.

The methods:

CREIGHTON MODEL: Uses data drawn from cervical mucus and standardized charting to track a woman’s menstrual cycle and pinpoint ovulation.

The benefits: There are many doctors and teachers/practitioners within

GOD HAS WRITTEN INTO A WOMAN’S BODY SUCH A BEAUTIFUL RHYTHM. UNLOCKING ITS MYSTERIES IS ONE OF THE GREATEST JOYS I’VE BEEN LUCKY TO HAVE AS A DOCTOR.

DR. KATIE MCANANY

CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PEDIATRICS AT UMKC

the archdiocese who can read these charts. It can help with infertility and hormone imbalances.

The drawbacks: Understanding how to read the mucus signs and then chart it correctly and objectively takes time. Klocke assures women learning this method that there is a significant amount of support.

“All of our meetings with clients are one-on-one to give them a personalized experience of charting. This means asking the question of each woman

— ‘What are the challenges you are encountering?’ — and brainstorming ways to deal with those challenges,” Klocke said.

MARQUETTE METHOD: Uses hormone test strips and a ClearBlue Fertility Monitor to track the menstrual cycle and pinpoint ovulation.

The benefits: “It is a great method for women with irregular cycles, medical conditions such as PCOS, thyroid issues or who are perimenopausal,” said McAnany. The test strips add another datapoint unavailable through other methods.

The drawbacks: “The disadvantages to Marquette,” said McAnany, “are the costs and difficulty finding an instructor. A monitor can cost $50-$140, and test strips are about $1 each. A woman might use 10-30 test strips per month, depending on where she is in her life cycle — if she is in regular cycles or postpartum. These costs can be covered by insurance, an FSA account or some employers (such as the archdiocese) will reimburse a certain amount per year.”

SYMPTO-THERMAL: Cross-checks cervical mucus, the cervix and temperature reading to track the menstrual cycle and pinpoint ovulation.

The benefits: “We chose the [symptothermal method] because you have three different data points that you’re looking for and can cross-check,” said Alison Greenlief, who, along with her husband, is an instructor through the Couple to Couple League.

The drawbacks: Some women may find keeping track of multiple signs to be difficult. To get a consistent temperature reading, an individual needs to take the reading at the same time each day. However, there are products available to help with temperature tracking such as the Oura Ring which has a charting application approved by the FDA to help track ovulation. Women with thyroid issues would not be able to use this method.

For a list of all NFP practitioners in the area, go to the archdiocesan website at: www.archkck.org/NFP.

Natural family planning emphasizes “the role of sex in marriage, and the cooperation of husband and wife in procreation.”

Men’s ministry emphasizes faith, fidelity

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

LENEXA — Are you a morning person? Jesse Luck-Smith is emphatically not a morning person, and if you’re like him, you’d just as soon leave all the worms for the early bird.

Nevertheless, on certain Tuesdays for nine years, Luck-Smith has been fighting the snooze button to help run a men’s ministry at Holy Trinity Parish called That Man Is You.

Most of the other That Man groups in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas meet early on a weekday as well.

“Our best day of the week to meet is Tuesdays,” said Luck-Smith, core team leader and co-founder of his group. “Because of our busy schedules, early mornings are almost a must. So, we meet at 6 a.m. and it ends at 7:30 a.m. every Tuesday for 13 weeks in the fall and 13 weeks in the spring.

“I’m not a morning person, so it’s funny how God works things out.”

That Man is one of four programs promoted and supported by Paradisus Dei (Latin for “Paradise of God”), which was founded in 2001 as an independent lay-led Catholic ministry to families.

That Man is a ministry for adult men. Each group is usually comprised of parishioners.

“That Man Is You is an adult faith formation aid directed toward men that is modeled after St. Joseph as leader of the Holy Family,” said Dave Brill, small group leader coordinator, who’s been with the group since it was founded in

the parish.

“It deals with the realities and struggles Catholic men face in our culture. It nurtures fatherhood and fidelity in support of our marriages,” he said. “And there’s an element of developing our faith relationship with Jesus and our faith. It’s not all about troubleshooting.”

At Holy Trinity Parish, That Man averages 50-60 men a week, with about 10 tables for discussion.

“We do fall and spring recruitment,” said Brill. “We have notices in the bulletin, set up a table for signups after Mass and ask the pastor to make pulpit announcements. Most of our members

come from personal invites . . . so, we do our recruitment [for spring] around Christmas and for fall in August.”

Although there are two recruitment periods ahead of the two sessions, men may join at any time. That Man does not meet during the summer.

The Paradisus Dei website lists more than a dozen That Man groups at parishes in the archdiocese.

The meetings have a simple format. A group of volunteers arrives early to prepare breakfast. The doors open at 6 a.m. and the men eat and visit until 6:30 a.m.

At that time, Luck-Smith or Brill take five to 10 minutes to greet them

[THAT MAN IS YOU] DEALS WITH THE REALITIES AND STRUGGLES CATHOLIC MEN FACE IN OUR CULTURE. IT NURTURES FATHERHOOD AND FIDELITY IN SUPPORT OF OUR MARRIAGES.

DAVE BRILL SMALL GROUP LEADER COORDINATOR

and introduce a video. The video, on various topics, lasts about 30 minutes. After the video, the men engage in small group discussion between 7 and 7:30 a.m. They end promptly at 7:30 a.m. so the men can get to their jobs.

In recent years, That Man had gone through a program expansion by going to a multispeaker and multisubject approach in its videos.

There are no membership dues, although a basket is set aside for freewill donations to support the breakfasts. The videos are provided by Paradisus Dei at no charge to the groups, but fall and spring fundraising appeals are held to support Paradisus Dei. Men join by simply getting on the group’s email list.

For more information or to find a Paradisus Dei group near you, go to the website at: paradisus dei.org.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE

Jesse Luck-Smith helps run a men’s ministry at Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa called That Man Is You. The group meets weekly on Tuesdays at 6 a.m.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE

That Man is You usually starts with a video, selected from a range of topics, that lasts about 30 minutes. After the video, the men engage in small group discussions. From left are: Jerry Herbert, Gabe Lyssy, Al Osborne and Jim Mansfield.

HOLY HOOPS

Photos by Jay Soldner

On the same night that the University of Connecticut Huskies defeated the Purdue Boilermakers to win the men’s NCAA National Basketball Championship, a basketball game of more “biblical” proportions played out at St. James Academy in Lenexa. OK, maybe that’s being a little overly dramatic, but the annual Runnin’ With the Revs on April 8 produced some thrills and spills of its own while promoting vocations in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and helping seminarians with the proceeds from a freewill offering.

The game featured eighth-grade and high school students teaming up with priests and seminarians all for the good of vocational awareness. This matchup pitted Team Gray (as I’m going to call them), coached by archdiocesan vocations director Father Dan Morris, against Team Black, coached by Father Mitchel Zimmerman, chaplain/director of the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, and himself a former archdiocesan vocations director.

In the end, Father Morris’ Team Gray won 62-58.

Father Kent O’Connor, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee, takes the ball strong to the hoop against

Referee Tom Skoch, brother of Father Tim Skoch, associate pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, greets Msgr. Michel Mullen, co-director emeritus of seminarians, before the game.

George Bright of St. James Academy in Lenexa looks for an opening in the defense in an attempt to score.

Ja’Shaun Holliday of Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas, looks for an open teammate at the top of the three-point line.

Patrick Meara, left, of Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, and home-schooled student Adam Leis, battle for a loose ball.

Father Mitchel Zimmerman, chaplain/director of St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at the University of Kansas, looks over the roster and discusses the game plan.

against Father Joel Haug, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Sabetha.

John Guetterman, left, a parishioner of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Wea, lets the ball fly during the Runnin’ With The Revs matchup.

Archdiocesan seminarian Will Sutherland, left, in a pastoral year at Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee, pushes the ball up the court as Father Scott Wallisch, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee, races back on defense. Father Wallisch, too, is a former director of vocations for the archdiocese.

Archbishop receives award from state pro-life organization

By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org

OVERLAND PARK — Heroic Defender of Life.

That’s the award presented to Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann by Kansans for Life on April 11 during its annual fundraising banquet held at the Overland Park Convention Center.

In his acceptance remarks, the archbishop thanked the 1,000 or so in attendance, especially the volunteers and staff of pro-life organizations.

“I believe it really represents not so much what I’ve done, but what our church is trying — and so many others — are trying to do,” he said.

Recounting how he first got involved in pro-life ministry, the archbishop said that in 1984, he was serving as an associate pastor at a parish in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. That year, he watched the Democratic National Convention. Geraldine Ferraro, a Catholic, was nominated as the vice presidential candidate.

“Immediately after receiving the nomination, she began not to defend life but defend abortion,” he said. “I was so saddened and discouraged.”

About a week later, the archbishop received a call from the priest serving as the archdiocese’s pro-life coordinator. The priest needed three names to submit to the archbishop as his possible replacement. Archbishop Naumann said he’d do what he could to support women and children, but he really didn’t think he was the most qualified choice. He was only on his second parish assignment and had not served in that ministry in any way — not even as chaplain for his own parish’s pro-life club.

When Archbishop John May called then-Father Naumann a few days later, he asked him to head the pro-life office.

“Again, I told him all of the reasons why I wasn’t the best qualified,” said Archbishop Naumann. “He said to me, ‘You can learn.’”

Sharing that story, the archbishop added, was important because, “You never know how the Lord uses defeats. Geraldine Ferraro unintentionally inspired me to want to get involved in a deeper way in the pro-life movement.”

Later in his remarks, Archbishop Naumann said that he was “grateful for this recognition. I feel very privileged to serve the years that I have, the opportunity to be friends with so many amazing people that are part of the pro-life movement.”

And he had a word of encouragement for his listeners.

“We know the victory has been won. We know that Jesus has defeated sin and death,” said the archbishop. “You and I, we are privileged to be part of what’s unfolding at this time and in this place. So, let’s stay strong and never grow weary.”

Prior to the presentation, Danielle Underwood, director of communications for the organization, said, “Archbishop Naumann has been a champion for life throughout his ministry, which has spanned almost five decades. In the early ’80s, he started working as the coordinator of the Respect Life office in St. Louis, Missouri, where he helped establish Project Rachel, a healing ministry for women suffering from the harmful effects of abortion decisions. In 2005, he

became archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, and he chose as his episcopal motto in Latin, ‘Vitae victoria erit’ which means, ‘Life will be victorious.’”

Noting the archbishop has integrated his motto as a core principle into everything in the archdiocese, Underwood listed some of the ministries started or expanded under Archbishop

Naumann’s leadership, including his support for unplanned pregnancy and adoption resources, fertility care, Project Rachel and Project Gabriel, as well as the launching of a nationwide initiative known as Walking with Moms in Need, initiated during his term as the first non-cardinal to lead the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Prolife Activities.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Above, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann leads a rosary in front of Planned Parenthood in Kansas City, Kansas. Efforts like this led to the archbishop being presented the Kansans for Life Heroic Defender of Life award (right) by Danielle Greenwood, director of communications for the organization. The presentation was made April 11 during the organization’s annual banquet held at the Overland Park Convention Center.

Serra Club of KCK honors essay contest winners

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

SHAWNEE — Sixth grade Catholic school students showed they were more than capable of offering serious thought about vocations during an awards presentation at the annual Serra Club essay contest.

The topic this year was: “Why is it important for me to think about my vocation in life?”

The four student first- and secondplace winners — accompanied by family members, their principals and teachers — were recognized during a Serra luncheon held on March 27 in the basement of St. Joseph Church in Shawnee.

The Serra Club of Kansas City, Kansas, invited sixth grade students from Catholic schools in Johnson, Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties to submit essays between 300 to 400 words on the topic.

Twenty-eight students from 14 schools participated. Preliminary judging was done at the schools, followed by a final judging of the top essays by a panel of the Serrans.

The first-place boy and girl winners each received $150 and a certificate, and the runner-up boy and girl winners received $75 and a certificate. The schools or religious education programs of the winners received $200.

The first-place boy was Luke Kratofil from Ascension School in Overland Park. The runner-up boy was Dax Hall

The first-place girl was Margot Graham from Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Shawnee. The runner-up

Each winning student read their essay, except for Kratofil, who had to

leave early because he had to attend a living Stations of the Cross in which he played the part of Pontius Pilate.

from St. Paul School in Olathe.

girl was Sarah White from Holy Spirit School in Overland Park.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE

From left, Serra Club representative Dan Meara poses with essay winners Sarah White from Holy Spirit School in Overland Park, Margot Graham from Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Shawnee, and Dax Hall from St. Paul School in Olathe. Father Keith Chadwick, associate pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa, is at far right. Inset is Luke Kratofil from Ascension School in Overland Park, who was also a winner.

EMPLOYMENT

Health care executive - Catholic Care Campus Inc., dba Santa Marta, is seeking a proven health care executive to join and lead our management team as the chief executive officer. Santa Marta is a continuing care retirement community owned by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Reporting to the board of directors, the chief executive officer (CEO) provides strategic leadership for the organization by working with the executive leadership team to establish and execute both short- and long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies. The CEO will ensure the provision of health care services in keeping with Catholic social teaching. The CEO will guide operations decision-making processes necessary for the successful attainment of goals and objectives, in addition to maintaining awareness of changes in health care and both internal and external environmental matters. The CEO is the primary face and voice of the organization to a wide variety of stakeholders. For more information and to apply, please visit: recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/ jobs/All/59148e03-8b7d-4687-9610-80971840b8e0/ Santa-Marta-Retirement.

Accounting assistant - Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa, is seeking an accounting assistant. This person will assist the parish accountant with maintaining the financial, tithing, payroll, and employee benefits records and systems for the parish, including the school and early education center. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting is preferred. The position requires a working knowledge of QuickBooks (or similar general ledger accounting system), Excel, accounts payable processing, journal entry recording and bank reconciliations. Experience in payroll processing and budgeting would be a plus. Position is 20 hours per week. A full position description can be found at: https://htlenexa. org/job-openings. Interested applicants should submit cover letter and resume to: skutney@htlenexa.org.

First grade teacher - Nativity Parish School in Leawood is seeking a first grade teacher for the 2024-25 school year. Applicants should apply online through the archdiocesan website at: archkckcs.org and email principal Luke Jennison at: luke.jennision@kcnativity.org, click on “Discover Careers” and scroll down to “Quick Links” then click on “Job Openings” then fill out the information requested on “Archkck Catholic Schools Job Board.”

Maintenance staff member - Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa is seeking a maintenance staff member. This staff member will have primary responsibility for daily cleaning and light maintenance of the church building. This person will assist with other maintenance responsibilities on the Holy Trinity campus as needed. This position is approximately 35 hours per week and qualifies for archdiocesan benefits. A full position description and application can be found at: htlenexa. org/job-openings. Interested applicants should return a completed application to: dleikam@htlexexa.org or 9150 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, KS 66215.

Food access coordinator - Are you passionate about providing food access for low-income families and have a heart for advocacy? Do you have experience with community outreach and serving low-income families? Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is seeking a food access coordinator to manage our federal food and nutrition programs and to increase food access in our 21-county service area. To learn more and apply, visit: catholiccharitiesks.org, go to the blue box that says “Work With Us” and click on “Careers.” Then go to “View All Opportunities,” click on “View All” and then scroll down and click on “Coordinator, Food Access.”

Kansas City Caramels - We are hiring for two parttime positions: 1) Candy production and packaging at our Riverside, Missouri, kitchen. Tasks include cutting, wrapping, packaging and hand-dipping caramels. Must be able to stand for 4 - 6 hours. 2) Weekend events and farmers market worker. Must be able to set up a booth tent and tables, be able to stand for 4 - 6 hours, run a Square app to accept payment, be friendly and helpful to clients. Contact Teri at: kansascitycaramels@ gmail.com.

General maintenance worker positions - Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is seeking to fill two fulltime general maintenance worker positions on our facilities team. Applicants should have one year minimum documented experience in this field of employment. Interested applicants should apply online at: catholiccharitiesks.org and go to the blue box that says “Work With Us” and click on “Careers.” Then go to “View All Opportunities,” click on “View All” and then scroll down and click on “General Maintenance Worker.”

Nonmedical caregivers - Saint Rita Home Care is hiring nonmedical caregivers for seniors. Seeking compassionate individuals to fill all shifts. We serve people in Johnson, Douglas, Miami, Franklin and Leavenworth counties. Kansas state licensed, nonmedical home care agency. Call or text Renee Margush at (913) 229-4267, or rmargush@saintritahc. com. Member of Prince of Peace Parish, Olathe.

Early childhood educators - With multiple locations in Johnson County, Special Beginnings Early Learning Center provides high quality child care in a safe, loving, Christian environment. Our classrooms are full and we are looking to add to our amazing team. We are looking for both full-time and part-time teachers for all ages of children. If you have an excellent work ethic, a heart for children and a willingness to learn more about early childhood education, we would love to meet you. For more information or to apply, call Anne at (913) 8940131, ext. 102.

Retreat and spirituality center director - The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth are currently seeking a director for the Marillac Retreat and Spirituality Center. The director is responsible for leading the center, drawing on our mission and charism to serve the critical spiritual needs of God’s people today by providing an environment of prayer, peace, hope and transformation. As St. Vincent, St. Louise and Mother Xavier taught us, the Marillac Center is a place of encounter for the poor and marginalized and all those who serve them. The ideal candidate will possess a master’s degree in theology, spirituality or related field; knowledge of or willingness to embrace the mission and values of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth and the Vincentian charism; and previous experience working in a space focused on hospitality, rest or spirituality. To view the full job announcement, please visit our website at: www.scls.org. If you possess the desired qualifications and would like to work for a truly wonderful and outstanding religious community, please email a cover letter with salary requirements and your resume to: recruiting@scls.org.

Victim care advocate - The office of protection and care is seeking to hire one full-time victim care advocate, who would be responsible for providing support and resources to victims and their families. For more information and to apply, go online to: archkck.org/jobs, scroll down to “Current Job Openings” and scroll down to “Openings in our archdiocese” then scroll down and click on “Victim Care Advocate.”

School leader - Holy Cross School in Overland Park is seeking a dynamic, faith-filled school leader for the 2024-25 school year. This individual will lead a team to serve 190 students in preschool through eighth grade. Students come from 38 zip codes. The student body is diverse, with 22 countries and 5 languages represented. For more information, contact Martha Beisser, secretary, at: mbeisser@holycrosscatholicschool.com. To complete an online application, go online to: arch kckcs.org/apply.

After-school care lead teacher - Nativity School in Leawood is seeking an after-school care lead teacher for our day school and K - 5th grades. Applicants should be at least 18 and have a previous teaching or assistant teaching position in a licensed early childhood program. Must be Virtus-trained and CPR/first- aid certified. Hours are Monday - Friday from 3 - 6 p.m. with one Tuesday per month from 1:45 - 6 p.m. Please contact: Katie.King@kcnativity.org.

IT specialist - Church of the Nativity Parish and School in Leawood are seeking to fill the position of IT specialist. This full-time position will oversee the development, implementation, maintenance and use of technology to support the church and school. They will be responsible for day-to-day operations of information and telecommunication systems, providing support and maintenance of existing technology and development of new technical solutions. They report to the director of IT. Go online to: www.kcnativity.org/employmentopportunities for the full job description. Resumes should be sent to: jobapplication@kcnativity.org.

Hand-bell choir director - Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa is seeking a part-time, hourly, hand-bell choir director. Average 16 hours per month or 4 hours per week. The director will conduct the parish hand-bell choir at weekly rehearsals on Mondays from 7 - 9 p.m. and an average of one Mass per month, mid-August to midJune. Conduction proficiency, knowledge of liturgical worship and the Christian year required. Compensation commensurate with qualifications and experience. Job description available at: www.htlenexa.org/holy trinity-music. Application, including three references, may be emailed to Dr. Chole Stodt, director of music, at: cstodt@htlenexa.org. Position open until filled.

Full-time youth minister - Church of the Nativity, Leawood, is seeking a full-time youth minister to join the Christian formation team. This position will oversee ministry to middle school and high school parishioners, as well as young adults. Qualified applicants should have at least two years’ experience in youth ministry or qualifying degree and have or be willing to receive Virtus training and a background check. Send a resume and cover letter to: jobapplication@kcnativity.org.

Youth and young adult minister - St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee is seeking a full-time youth and young adult minister. The candidate would be responsible for nurturing and guiding teens and young adults, have an evangelism strategy that provides vision, skills and community. The successful candidate will have excellent organizational and communication skills. Interested applicants should email resume and cover letter to Veronica Quinn at: vquinn@stjoeshawnee.org or call (913) 244-3909 for more information.

Bookkeeper/accountant - Queen of the Holy RosaryWea is seeking a full-time bookkeeper/accountant. Three years’ experience with QuickBooks and advanced experience with Excel as well as hands-on experience with payroll and benefit software systems desired. Please contact: mpetz@qhrwea.org for complete job description and application. Compensation commensurate with experience.

Caregivers needed - Daughter & Company is looking for compassionate caregivers to provide assistance to seniors in their home, assisted living or in a skilled nursing facility. We provide sitter services, light housekeeping and light meal preparation, organizational assistance, care management and occasional transportation for our clients. We need caregivers with reliable transportation and a cellphone for communication. We typically employ on a part-time basis, but will strive to match up hours desired. Contact Gary or Laurie at (913) 341-2500 if you want to become part of an excellent caregiving team.

Middle school science teacher - Nativity School in Leawood is seeking a middle school science teacher for the 2024-25 school year. Applicants should apply online through the archdiocesan website at: archkckcs.org and email principal Luke Jennison at: luke.jennison@kcnativity.org.

Middle school math teacher - Nativity Parish School in Leawood is seeking a middle school math teacher for the 2024-25 school year. Applicants should apply online through the archdiocesan website at: archkckcs.org and click on “Apply” then click on “Teachers.” Also, email principal Luke Jennison at: luke.jennison@kcnativity.org.

Communication coordinator – St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee is seeking a full-time communications coordinator. The communications coordinator will coordinate and support the St. Joseph Campus with communication projects. This position will work closely with the school principal, EEC director and parish office to develop and implement communications strategies, media relations, social and digital media, article writing, video production, advertising/marketing initiatives and other communication support as needed. A successful candidate should be Catholic, with strong relationship skills and the ability to work in a collaborative setting. The overall goal for this position is to promote St. Joseph Catholic Campus as the go-to source for relevant, reliable, evidenced-based information. Interested applicants should email resumes and cover letter to Father Scott Wallisch: frscott@stjoeshawnee.org or call (913) 631-5983 for more information.

Now hiring - drivers and aides - Assisted Transportation is hiring safe drivers and aides to transport students in Johnson and Wyandotte counties, in company vans. Drivers earn $14 - $16 per hour. Part-time and full-time schedules available. CDL not required. Retirees are encouraged to apply. Make a difference in your community by helping those in need! Call (913) 2625190 or visit www.assistedtransportation.com for more information. EEO.

Maintenance technician - Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood is looking for a full-time, 40 hours per week, maintenance technician with a strong work ethic. We prefer a candidate with knowledge in landscape maintenance. This individual will also have general maintenance skills, including basic electrical and plumbing. This position also includes setting up for events. A maintenance technician is a thorough professional with attention to detail. The ideal candidate will be able to work autonomously and responsibly. The candidate needs to be able to lift 50 pounds and work off a ladder or lift. All employees are required to be Virtus-trained and background-checked. This position may include some weekend and evenings as needed. Competitive pay, including benefits, vacation/sick time and 401(k) with match. Interested candidates should send a resume to the facilities director at: matt.rocca@cureofars.com.

Catholic school elementary principal for Resurrection School - Are you a passionate and visionary leader looking to make a difference in the lives of young learners? Do you thrive in diverse, culturally rich environments? Resurrection Catholic School in Kansas City, Kansas, is seeking a joyfully Catholic school leader with demonstrated skill in the academic and spiritual formation of students. With a board of trustees, the principal will lead a team to advance the school’s academic licensure in educational leadership. Ideal candidates will be fluent in English and Spanish, but Spanish-speaking not required. Apply online at: archkckcs.org/apply and scroll down and click on “Principals.” For more information, contact Dr. Vince Cascone, superintendent, at: vcascone@archkckcs.org.

Staff job openings - Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, a Catholic college offering higher education for those who may not otherwise be served, has the following staff job openings available: security receptionist, part-time administrative coordinator for the nursing department, academic adviser, director of development, part-time front desk receptionist and admissions counselor. Find job descriptions and details at: www. donnelly.edu/careers.

Faculty and adjunct faculty job openings - Donnelly College, Kansas City, Kansas, a Catholic college offering higher education for those who may not otherwise be served, is a Catholic college offering higher education for those who may not otherwise be served. Faculty job openings - no current openings. Adjunct faculty job openings - adjunct instructor for Nursing. Find job descriptions and details at: www.donnelly.edu/careers.

Catholic elementary school principal - Corpus Christi School in Lawrence is seeking a Catholic school leader to join its thriving Lawrence community. The principal will lead a team of faculty and staff in the mission of forming scholarly disciples. Applicants must have or be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership. Apply online at: archkckcs.org/apply. For more information, contact Father Jerry Volz at: frjerry@cccparish.org.

Community and family ministry leader - St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee is seeking a part-time community and family ministry (CFM) leader. This leader would be responsible for nurturing and guiding a ministry and evangelism strategy that provides vision, skills and community for single, engaged and married people. The leader will lead a ministry task force responsible for executing this initiative to invite and move church and community through outreach and ongoing engagements into Growth Journeys where relationship skills content is delivered/transformed. The leader will also serve as St. Joseph’s chief liaison with our Communio church strategist. Interested applicants should email resumes to Veronica Quinn at: vquinn@stjoeshawnee. org or call (913) 244-3909.

SERVICES

MIKE HAMMER MOVING - A full-service mover. Local and long-distance moving. Packing, pianos, rental truck load/unload, storage container load/unload. In-home moving and office moves. No job too small. Serving the KC metro since 1987. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, parishioner. Call the office at (913) 927-4347 or email: mike@mikehammermoving.com.

Faith-based counseling to cope with life concerns - Kansas City area. Call Mary Vorsten, licensed clinical professional counselor, at (913) 909-2002.

Quality work - Quality painting, remodeling and minor electrical repairs. Call Rob at (913) 206-4524.

Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footing, poured-in-place safe rooms, excavation and hauling. Asphalt drives and lots. Fully insured; references. Call Dan at (913) 207-4371, or email: dandeeconst@ aol.com.

Memory quilts - Preserve your memories in a keepsake quality quilt, pillows, etc. Custom designed from your T-shirt collection, baby clothes, sports memorabilia, neckties . . . Quilted Memories. (913) 649-2704.

Ros painting - Transforming your home one paint coat at a time. Over 20 years of residential and commercial interior and exterior painting. Reliable, professional and affordable. Insured. Call or text Ramiro today for a free estimate. (913) 579-5016.

Doll dresses - First Communion dresses for American Girl dolls or any 18”dolls. To include dress, veil, shoes, tights, and cross necklace for $35. Call (913) 345-9498 or send an email to: wwelch4@kc.rr.com to order.

Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 579-1835.

Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

Local handyman - Painting, int. and ext., wood rot, mason repair, gutter cleaning (gutter covers), dryer vent cleaning, sump pump (replace, add new), windows, doors (interior and exterior), honey-do list, window cleaning and more! Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.

REAL ESTATE

We are local people who can buy your house - Big companies from all over the nation come here buying houses, but that’s not us. We are parishioners of Holy Trinity Parish and we enjoy giving you personalized service. We can offer you a fair price and are flexible to your needs. If I can help, call me, Mark Edmondson, at (913) 980-4905.

We buy houses and whole estates - We are local and family-owned, and will make you a fair cash offer. We buy houses in any condition. No fees or commissions and can close on the date of your choice. Selling your house has never felt so good. Jon & Stacy Bichelmeyer (913) 599-5000.

WANTED TO BUY

Cash paid - for old tools, old jewelry, old furniture, military items, fishing lures, hunting items, old crocks, arrowheads and old signs. I buy all kinds of older things — house or barn contents, an estate or just one item. Call Patricia any time at (913) 515-2950. Parishioner at Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa.

Wanted to buy

Do you have a car or truck that you need to get rid of? If you do, CALL ME! I’m a cash buyer. We’re Holy Trinity parishioners. My name is Mark. (913) 980-4905.

Wanted to buy - Antique & Collectibles: jewelry, military items, railroad, sterling, OLD holiday/toys and more. Renee Maderak (913) 475-7393. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.

Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.

Wanted to buy - I buy coin collections, military items, pocket watches, jewelry, class rings, old toys, holiday items and more. Cash in hand. Call Kirk at (913) 2139843.

FOR SALE

For sale - Two cemetery plots at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa. Plots located in the Assumption Garden north of the Veterans’ Memorial and under a tree. Valued at $5190; asking $4500. Call (913) 649-8072.

>> Classifieds continue on page 13

IGNATIAN DAY OF REFLECTION

Ignatian Spirituality Center

1100 Rockhurst Rd., Kansas City, Missouri April 20 from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Come spend a day to experience listening for God in your prayer and daily life. Father Greg and Father Larry will offer Ignatian insights and prayer points to develop and deepen your relationship with God. For more information, visit the website at: www.ignatiancenterkc.org/events and look for “Ignatian Weekend” or contact Regina Santana by email at: rsantana@ ignatiancenterkc.org or call (816) 381-9168.

BEREAVEMENT MEETING

Curé of Ars Parish

9405 Mission Rd., Leawood

April 20 after the 8 a.m. Mass

The bereavement ministry will have a brief support meeting. For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

ANNUAL SPRING BINGO

Holy Family Parish (Mejak Hall) 513 Ohio Ave., Kansas City, Kansas

April 20 at 5:30 p.m.

Dinner will be served from 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. Bingo starts at 7 p.m. Cost is $20 for a bingo card, a sausage supper and two drink tickets. Additional drinks are available for purchase. No one under 21 admitted. Cost at the door is $25. For more information or to RSVP, contact Cathy Schneider at (913) 413-0022 or Sandy Cannon at (913) 396-1564. Reservations may also be made by email at: holyfamilychurch1925@ gmail.com or csandysangels@aol.com.

LINGER OVER BREAKFAST

St. Teresa’s Academy 5500 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri April 20 from 9 - 11 a.m.

Want to enjoy beautiful butterflies, vegetables and flowers in your backyard, along with enhancing sustainability? The program will be presented by Amy Hereford, CSJ. There will be tips on gardening, composting and seed-saving, to home energy audits and beekeeping. We can enhance our lives, one plant at a time. Friends from area gardening collectives will also be on hand to help with your next steps in growing green.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA LITTLE FLOWER CIRCLE

Christ the King Parish (Yadrich Hall)

5972 S.W. 25th St., Topeka April 21 at 12:40 p.m.

A rosary will be followed by the business meeting and social time. If anyone knows of a member or family member of Daughters of Isabella in need of the circle’s prayers, call Shirley Gustafson at (785) 554-3028 or chancellor Gen Orozco at (785) 230-2473.

‘BEAUTY IN HIS PRESENCE: ADORATION, ART AND ORCHESTRAL MUSIC’

Fiorella’s Event Center

9000 W. 137th St., Overland Park

April 21 from 5:30 - 7:45 p.m.

The Holy Family School of Faith is

>> Continued from page 12

Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. St. Michael’s parishioners. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross - KC).

For sale - Two plots at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas. Located in section 3 Old, lot 126, plots 6 and 10. Flat markers only. Contact Ann at (913) 620-5687.

CAREGIVING

Family member with dementia or need help at home? - We specialize in helping seniors live SAFELY at home, where they want to live! We also offer free dementia training and resources for families and caregivers. Benefits of Home - Senior Care, www. Benefitsofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

hosting a unique eucharistic adoration event featuring live music arranged and composed by a local composer, performed by a small ensemble of musicians. There will also be a rosary and a reception.

CHARITABLE GIVING STRATEGIES

St. Ann Parish (hall)

301 William St., Effingham

April 24 at 7 p.m.

This parish workshop, presented by Jeannine Edmonds from nVision Wealth, will include information on understanding different kinds of investment accounts and tax consequences for each.

THE TRUE COST OF FUNERALS

Keeler Women’s Center

759 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kansas

April 24 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Come and hear unbiased advice from experts who volunteer to educate and support families to make informed decisions about death-related services consistent with their values and lifestyles.

MEN’S FIRST BRING-AFRIEND WELCOME BREAKFAST

St. Michael the Archangel (Porter Hall)

14251 Nall Ave., Leawood

April 25 at 7 a.m. (after 6:40 a.m. Mass)

All men and their friends, regardless of parish, are invited. Father Luke Doyle will give a presentation on evangelization and welcoming. Breakfast and the event are free. RSVP is required to Rich Henry by email at: rhenry72@gmail.com or Mike Bartkoski at: mike.bartkoski@bvmbiologics. com.

CAMP TEKAKWITHA

WOMEN’S RETREAT

Prairie Star Ranch

1124 California Rd., Williamsburg

April 26 - 28

This is a weekend for you! You will find speakers that inspire you, sacraments that draw you to the heart of Christ and fellowship with other women. This retreat offers large group and breakout sessions, individual reflection, Mass, Eucharistic adoration, reconciliation, free time, friendship and joy. Here you will find the space to relax, rejuvenate and reconnect. Come enjoy the beauty of God’s creation and the gift of sharing life with other women seeking the heart of Jesus. Information and registration can be found online at: archkck.org/camp-tekakwitha.

ANNUAL MASS OF ATONEMENT FOR VICTIMS OF CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE

Savior Pastoral Center (chapel)

12601 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, Kansas April 26 at 6:30 p.m.

The archdiocesan office for protection and care (OPC) invites you to this special Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, to atone for the harm done and trust lost due to abuse by clergy. Following Mass, there will be a reception that will include light refreshments. If you are a survivor, know someone who is or you are drawn to make a difference on this topic in our church, we encourage you to attend. Materials will

Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management and transportation for seniors in their home, assisted living or nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Pat or Gary.

Homecare - Available Monday - Friday days or nights. Serving Shawnee Mission, Gladstone and Overland Park. Background check and references available. Call (913) 999-4340.

Senior Care Authority - Navigating senior care options can be overwhelming. We will help you sort through and understand all your care and living options and point you to vetted resources. Placement assistance is FREE. We do a thorough assessment, do all the research and walk with you as you make these big decisions for you or your loved one. Call (913) 359-8580.

be available to help those who want to better understand this ministry or wish to support survivors. In addition, the archbishop and the OPC ministry team will be available for discussion. For more information, contact Melanie Savner by email at: opc@archkck.org or call/text Kathleen Chastain at (913) 951-1811.

CALLED TO LOVE AGAIN

DIVORCE SUPPORT

St. Pius X Parish

5500 Woodson St., Mission

April 27 at 6 p.m.

Do you feel as if you will never heal?

Wondering if you’re ready for a relationship? Join us once a month for fellowship and formation. For more information, send an email to: Katie@thecall2love.com.

ROSARY RALLY

Church of the Ascension

9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park

April 28 from 3 - 4:15 p.m.

We will pray the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of the rosary followed by Benediction and the opportunity for attendees to enroll in the brown scapular. For driving instructions or future dates for the Kansas City monthly rosary rallies, visit the website at: www.rosaryrallieskc.org.

SUDS & SCHOLARSHIPS 2024

Boulevard Brewing Company

2501 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri

April 29 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Suds & Scholarships benefits the students of Holy Name of Jesus School, the smallest Catholic school in Wyandotte County, where 95% of students rely on scholarships to attend. Your support will provide life-changing scholarships for students in need. Learn more and purchase tickets online at: https://one. bidpal.net/holyname24/welcome.

‘ARTMAKING AND CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE: CELEBRATING WORLD

LABYRINTH DAY’

Precious Blood Renewal Center

2120 Gaspar Way, Liberty, Missouri May 4 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Join us in practicing mindfulness and contemplation through breath, mindful eating and art-making, as we walk the labyrinth together with participants from around the world for global peace. No art, sewing or mindfulness experience is required. To register, go online to: pbrenewalcenter.org, scroll down to “ArtMaking and Contemplative Practice” then scroll down to “Register Now.”

SPIRITUALITY AND MENTAL HEALTH

Corpus Christi Parish

6001 Billing Parkway, Lawrence May 9 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Liturgy of the Hours is the daily prayer of the church. It is an ancient meditative dialogue, rooted in the psalms, that can be a source of spiritual nourishment. As we strengthen our spirituality with greater consistent prayer, we will also strengthen and support our mind, body and soul. Join us to learn more.

Caring Christian companion - I’m a retired licensed practical nurse (LPN) with 20-plus years of nursing experience caring for youth to elderly facing medical challenges. I will work for you, in home, assisted living or nursing home. Qualified to transport to and from physicians or therapy and personal trips. References from past employers are available. I am someone who is caring, honest and dependable. Call Barbara at (913) 645-3779.

PILGRIMAGE

Pilgrimages - May 14-22, 2024; June 16-28, 2024 (Poland and Medjugorje); Aug. 9-17, 2024; and Dec. 27 - Jan. 4, 2025. Are you being called? Hosted by visionary Mirjana Soldo. Call Grace Legaspi for details at (913) 449-1806.

ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

Tomahawk Hills Golf Course

17501 Midland Dr., Shawnee May 10 at 8 a.m.

All are welcome to the Church of the Holy Cross Knights of Columbus annual golf tournament. The cost is $125 per player; $500 for a foursome. Price includes coffee, donuts, beverages, the award reception and a luncheon. Questions? Contact Rick Guinn by email at: rgksmolaw. com or call (913) 424-9084.

BREAKFAST WITH THE KNIGHTS

Divine Mercy Parish

555 W. Main St., Gardner

May 12 from 8:30 - 10 a.m.

The breakfast will include eggs, sausage and gravy, pancakes and drinks. Join us for great fellowship. The cost is $6 for those over the age of 13 and free for ages 12 and under. Proceeds are used for charitable works, such as scholarships and other giving throughout the year.

SPAGHETTI DINNER AND BINGO

St. Patrick Parish (center)

1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas May 18 at 6 p.m.

Dinner will include spaghetti with a meatball and Italian sausage, breadstick, salad, dressing, and tea or lemonade. The cost is $12 for adults and $7 for kids. Bingo will be $12 for 10 games. The average prize is $75 per game and average blackout (last game of the night) is $250. For more information, call Fritz at (913) 515-0621.

BISHOP MIEGE 50TH REUNION

Class of ’74

Looking for the class of 1974 Bishop Miege alumni. If you know someone who graduated from Miege in 1974, give them this information. Plans are underway for the reunion. We are looking for contact information (bios, photos and reunion registration fees) for some of our classmates. For up-to-date information, go online to: www.facebook.com/BMHS1974Reunion. Organizers’ emails are as follows: Janet Hostly Schlake at: jschlake55@gmail.com (reunion organizer); Maureen Reintjes at: deskside2@yahoo.com (send contact information to Maureen); and Steve Faltermeier at: steve.faltermeier@gmail.com (golf tournament).

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS SUMMER CAMPS

St. Thomas Aquinas High School

11411 Pflumm Rd., Overland Park

May - August

Our summer camps give students entering grades K - 8 the chance to discover their potential in both sports and other activities: STEM camp, art, baking, cheer and more! Camps fill up fast, so register today online at: www.stasaints.net/athletics/summer-camps. For questions call the student life office at (913) 319-2416 or send an email to: btriggs@ stasaints.net.

Classified Advertising

The Leaven reaches approximately 50,000 subscribers.

Cost is $20 for the first five lines, $1.50 per line thereafter.

To purchase a Leaven classified ad, email: beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

The appearance of advertising in The Leaven is not an endorsement by either the newspaper or the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. The Leaven attempts to screen advertisers and copy, but is not responsible for claims and representations made in advertisements.

FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER

April 21

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Acts 4: 8-12

Ps 118: 1, 8-9, 21-23, 28-29

1 Jn 3: 1-2

Jn 10: 11-18

Monday April 22

Acts 11: 1-18

Pss 42: 2-3; 43: 3-4

Jn 10: 1-10

23

George, martyr; Adalbert, bishop, martyr Acts 11: 19-26

Ps 87: 1-7

Jn 10: 22-30

24

Fidelis of Sigmaringen, priest, martyr Acts 12:24 – 13:5a

Ps 67: 2-3, 5-6, 8 Jn 12: 44-50

25

MARK, EVANGELIST 1 Pt 5: 5b-14

Ps 89: 2-3, 6-7, 16-17

16: 15-20

2: 6-11

14: 1-6

13: 44-52

98: 1-4

Jn 14: 7-14

GEORGE died circa 303

This popular Christian saint is venerated in the Eastern and Western churches and respected as a prophet in Islam. George may have been a soldier martyred at Lydda (now Lod, Israel) when the persecution of Roman Emperor Diocletian began in 303. But he is famous for exploits published about 1260 in “Golden Legend,” in which he slays a dragon attacking a princess and her city, which leads to a mass conversion and a wedding. Crusaders may have spread this story after seeing an image in Constantinople of Constantine destroying the devil in a dragon’s form. George is the patron saint of England, Portugal, Slovenia, Catalonia, Venice and Genoa, as well as knights, soldiers, farmers and Boy Scouts.

What image of Jesus touches your heart?

One of the most comforting for me is Jesus the good shepherd that we hear about each year on the Fourth Sunday of Easter. It’s now almost a year to the day when I was walking around the Kondo gift shop in Bethlehem in the West Bank. I smile at the memory for a few reasons. The first is that several people in our pilgrimage group, mishearing the name of the shop, thought we were going to a “candle” store and wondered how in the world we could spend 90 minutes there!

The second reason for my smile was the store’s historical significance. Shibley Kondo, the proprietor, is the grandson of the antiquities owner who originally received the jars containing the Dead Sea Scrolls found in Qumran beginning in 1946. In fact, the shop has one of the

Are you ready to follow the Leader?

MARK MY WORDS

FATHER MARK GOLDASICH

Father Mark is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989.

original four jars in a glass case there. Even more incredible is that a worker at the store is the grandson of the shepherd who discovered those scrolls.

The third reason for my smile is that all the souvenirs in the place were crafted by a consortium of Palestinian Christians who share in the profits of the store. The Kondo family also supports numerous charities that assist the local

population, including an orphanage for special-needs children.

I bought a lot of gifts there but kept one that now has a treasured place in my home. It’s a simple statue, carved from olive wood, of Jesus as the good shepherd. It stands about eight inches high. It appealed to me because the face of Jesus has a darker hue, reminiscent of the skin tones of many Palestinians I met. Jesus is seated on a wall, the traditional posture of a teacher. His right hand tenderly rests on a sheep at his feet while his left hand embraces a small child in his lap. The tenderness expressed by this image of Jesus

absolutely warms my heart.

It reminds me, especially on difficult days, of this story told by theologian and author E. Stanley Jones:

A missionary got lost in the African jungle where there was nothing around him but bush and a few cleared spaces. Eventually, he found a hut and asked the man within if he could lead him out.

When the native agreed, the missionary said, “All right. Show me the way.”

The native said, “Walk.”

And so, they walked and hacked their way through unmarked jungle for more than an hour. The missionary grew worried and asked, “Are you quite sure this is the way? Where is the path?”

The native said, “Bwana, in this place there is no path. I am the path.” (Story adapted from “Follow Me” in “Illustrations Unlimited,” edited by James S. Hewett.)

Isn’t that who the Good Shepherd is for

us? Jesus knows us and calls us by name. He leads us confidently where we need to be and, when we stray, he’s gently there to retrieve us “lost sheep” and carry us back home around his shoulders.

Over the past few Sundays of the Easter season, Jesus has reminded us that we’re called not only to follow but to imitate him in our lives.

May we make this prayer of B.J. Hoff our own:

“To the searching heart, send me with your word/ To the aching heart, send me with your peace/ To the broken heart, send me with your love/ However small or wide my world, Lord, let me warm it with the promise that you care.”

(Found in Anthony Castle’s “More Quips, Quotes & Anecdotes for Preachers and Teachers.)

What more can we say but “Amen!”

Early Christians visualized Jesus not on the cross but as a shepherd

Throughout 2,000 years of Christian history, artistic expressions of faith can always be found.

From the rustic art of the early Roman catacombs to the monumental Byzantine Romanesque basilicas to the soaring Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages, to the artistic torrent of the Renaissance and Baroque, the truths of Christian faith through the ages have taken the form of the beautiful in countless masterpieces of sacred art, sacred architecture and sacred music.

For the first Christians, the cross of Jesus was a stark reminder

visualize the meaning of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection?

The Gospel image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, described by Jesus himself in the Gospel reading on this Fourth Sunday of Easter, attracted the first Christians. In fact, one of the earliest artistic depictions of Jesus is a third-century fresco discovered in the Roman catacomb of Priscilla that portrays Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

of a cruel, inhumane form of torture and death reserved for criminals and enemies of the Roman empire. So how did the early church begin to

He is shown as a simple, yet robust shepherd who carries one lost sheep on his shoulders, while other sheep stand close to their master. For the first Christians, the

Gospel image of Jesus the Good Shepherd summed up faith in Jesus as the Son of God who rescues from the power of sin and restores humanity to friendship with God.

This Sunday’s Gospel most likely inspired the early Christians who painted Jesus the Good Shepherd on the walls of the ancient catacombs.

In the 10th chapter of the Gospel of St. John, Jesus invites his disciples — and us — to experience his loving mercy as the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. As a shepherd, Jesus remains close to his sheep, sharing in their daily life with

love and tenderness. Jesus desires to stay close to his flock, whom he longs to rescue from the grip of self-love, alienation and even despair. He was willing to carry out God’s saving plan with his very life.

As the Easter season unfolds, may we encounter Jesus the Good Shepherd as the one sent by God to lead us to the loving mercy of God within the community of his body, the church. In these Easter days, may we encounter in Jesus the Good Shepherd the divine care, providential protection and daily guidance we seek, as we pray in faith, “Speak to me, Lord.”

Take evil seriously, pope says at general audience

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While intense feelings or drive — passions — are natural, Christians know they must be tamed and channeled toward what is good, Pope Francis said.

The virtue of fortitude, “the most ‘combative’ of the virtues,” helps a person control their passions but also gives them the strength to overcome fear and

anxiety when faced with the difficulties of life, the pope told visitors and pilgrims at his weekly general audience April 10.

Continuing his series of talks about virtues, the pope quoted the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist

temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions.”

Fortitude “takes the challenge of evil in the world seriously,” he said, and that is increasingly rare “in our comfortable Western world.”

JEM SULLIVAN

Sullivan is a professor at The Catholic University of America.

IEarly experience in journalism influenced path to vocation

f I could pinpoint the moment my vocation discernment got off the ground, it was the day Pope Paul VI died.

I had just returned home from my first assignment as a lay reporter at the Catholic diocesan newspaper in Corpus Christi, Texas, when I heard the news of the Holy Father’s death. It was Aug. 6, 1978, the solemnity of the Transfiguration.

SISTER EVA-MARIA ACKERMAN, FSGM

As amazing events began to unfold at the highest levels of the church, I learned the ropes in my new position in the diocese. Newspaper layouts were rearranged to report the late pope’s funeral, the preparations for a conclave, the election of the smiling

“L

et us

Pope John Paul I to the See of Peter and then his unexpected death.

Very soon, the church was readying itself for another papal conclave. We were getting our articles together, wondering what the Holy Spirit was up to.

As if on autopilot,

the newspaper staff followed the same pattern for newspaper production as it had weeks before.

On Oct. 16, 1978, breaking news of a new pope’s election began to tick away on our office’s news machine. Hearing the sound, I ran down the hall from the chancery lunchroom and read the surprising announcement. Our new pope was from Poland!

As Pope John Paul II walked out onto the balcony at St. Peter’s Basilica, the church and the world welcomed a man who was radiant, ready and full of life. He had a vision and an energy that would

one day help him lead the church across the threshold into the new millennium.

When I made the transition to Catholic journalism in 1978, I had no idea how the graces of those amazing days would influence my spiritual life and set me on a pathway to my vocation to the consecrated life.

Though I was just beginning to discern the possibility of becoming a Sister when I made the move, the Holy Spirit stirred up the flame in my heart, and I embraced God’s will for my life. My position as reporter and photographer had taken me into places, like convents, I

would never have been able to enter before.

In one year, I was in the convent.

Forty-five years later, I am convinced that God never stops unleashing a torrent of grace into the lives of young people, many of whom have never considered the priesthood or religious life. He delights in revealing his very personal plan for each person and a pathway forward with its unexpected turns and neverending adventures.

May this World Day of Prayer for Vocations on April 21 be a channel of strong grace, flooding the hearts of those whom God is calling to be his own.

Be the hands and feet of Jesus in your community

love not with words but with deeds.”

–Pope Francis

April is National Volunteer Month and Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas relies heavily on our volunteers to help us carry out our mission of providing help, hope and hospitality to the most vulnerable among us.

We are truly blessed with over 7,000 volunteers who live their faith through our ministries. Just as Jesus freely gives his love and mercy to each one of us, our volunteers embody this teaching every single day through their generous service.

INSIDE CATHOLIC CHARITIES

LAUREN SOLIDUM

The volunteers at Catholic Charities represent a much-needed movement in our country to recognize the poor and vulnerable in our communities and to serve them physically, emotionally

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus begins his public ministry by reading aloud from the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Because he anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed” (4:18).

This is the mission of the Christ, the anointed one. By his resurrection, Jesus Christ has anointed us (the baptized and confirmed) with his Holy Spirit. Therefore, this is our mission as Catholics, anointed members of the body of Christ: to proclaim the good news

and spiritually. They serve in a variety of meaningful ways. They assist in our food pantries, sort donations at our TurnStyles Thrift stores, teach English and financial education courses, mentor refugee youth, drive our Resource Bus to our rural communities and so much more. The versatility of their skills

and talents is second only to the vast breadth and depth of our 30-plus programs here at Catholic Charities.

Recently, we asked our volunteers to share something they learned or that they wished more people knew about volunteering at Catholic Charities. Marianne, who volunteers at one of our family support centers, said, “I have learned to see people as Jesus, no matter what they look like or how much difficulty we have in communicating.”

Another volunteer, Beth, who assists with our refugee program, said, “Besides the good feeling of using your time to serve others and making new friends,

volunteering opens you up to a stronger connection to your community and a wider understanding of — and appreciation for — the difficulties some members of our community are experiencing. Their needs can compel you to want to do more.”

Catholic Charities offers the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in your community. The experience can be humbling and rewarding.

“Teaching English to adults is my newest dream job,” said Kathleen, who volunteers with our refugee program. “This program has given me education and opportunity to do what I am passionate about.”

Thanks be to God for those who share their talents with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas! If you have not had an experience with Catholic Charities, I personally invite you to learn more about the critical work that we do and how you can engage with us.

Each month, we offer a bus tour that gives an overview of our programs and visits some of our sites, including our Hope Distribution Center and Shalom House. To sign up, go online to: catholiccharitiesks.org/ bus-tours.

In addition, core, student and group volunteer opportunities are listed on our website at: catholiccharitiesks. org/volunteer.

are all anointed by God to do the work of justice

— not just of spiritual liberation achieved by liturgical action, but also freedom achieved

by our works of mercy and justice. Especially during Easter, as we give thanks for our restoration to right relationship with God won for us by our Redeemer, we must ask, “Now what?” How are we now to join Christ in his mission of mercy and justice for the world?

Notice in the resurrection stories that Jesus only appears to those whom he could send on mission. His victory over death complete, our glorified Lord did not spike the football by taunting Pilate or Caiaphas.

No, by his death, Jesus conquered death and by his resurrection revealed himself in glory only to those who would go on mission. You only got to know if you were willing to go.

Notice also how this encounter transformed chickens into champs, doubters into doers, quitters into questers and mice into martyrs. Likewise, the resurrected Christ wants to transform you by

having you join him on his mission to “set captives free.”

As fellow “anointed ones,” the implementation of our Christ mission will vary. The Holy Spirit will mysteriously marshal us each whence and hence; if we will only but attend to his voice.

His preference is for community and working together. So be docilely attentive to your opportunities and invitations to help others and better the common good. Lay Catholics especially are called to apply the wisdom of the Gospel to transform our laws, culture, policies and practices to make our world more like heaven

and less like hell.

On May 6, Catholics and other Christians from Wyandotte County will be assembling for a work of justice by advocating for policies that address violence, elder care and affordable housing with a Nehemiah Action.

On Sept. 28, the archdiocese is conducting a Mercy and Justice Summit. This summit will be a gathering of parish leaders to launch a mercy and justice movement in the archdiocese.

If you are interested in either of these opportunities, reach out to us online at: socialjustice@ archkck.org. After all, you were anointed for this.

Deacon

Sister

Lauren

Kids’ Kids’

CHRONICLE CHRONICLE

Paul and Barnabas preach to the Gentiles

By Jennifer Ficcaglia Catholic Courier

One day, while the apostles were worshiping and fasting, the Holy Spirit told them something.

“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them,” the Holy Spirit said. Barnabas and Saul — who became known as Paul — received a blessing from their friends before leaving on their first missionary journey to preach about Jesus in Gentile cities. The Gentiles were non-Jews who believed in false gods.

When they preached in Iconium, which is located in present-day Turkey, they converted many Gentiles and even some Jews to Christianity. After a while, the Jews living in Iconium who did not believe in Jesus made people mad at Paul and Barnabas. The two men fled the city before they were killed.

Their next stop was Lystra, also in what is now present-day Turkey. There they met a man who was crippled since birth.

The man was in a crowd of people listening to Paul preach. Paul noticed the man and saw that he had faith to be healed.

“Stand up straight on your feet,” Paul told him.

The man jumped up and began to walk around. The others who had been listening to Paul speak were amazed. But, since they believed in false gods, they mistakenly thought Paul was a god. They did not understand that Paul had performed the miracle through the power of God and Jesus.

“The gods have come down to us in human form,” the people in the crowd said excitedly.

They began calling Paul and Barnabas by the names of Greek gods, and a priest from a nearby pagan temple brought oxen to sacrifice to them.

Paul and Barnabas began to tear their garments.

“Men, why are you doing this?” they shouted as they rushed into the crowd. “We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.”

Even with these words, Paul and Barnabas scarcely kept the crowd from offering sacrifice to them.

Q&A

1. What miracle did Paul perform in Lystra?

2. Who did the people of Lystra think Paul was?

Bible accent

When the Gentiles started to become followers of Jesus, a debate arose: Should they be required to follow the Mosaic law?

In Acts 15, we read that Paul, Barnabas and some others went to Jerusalem to ask the apostles, who discussed the question with other church leaders and with help from the Holy Spirit.

After much debate, Peter arose. He pointed out that all Jews, past and present, never successfully followed the Mosaic law.

“Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?” he asked.

James also shared his thoughts.

“It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God,” he said, “but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals and blood.”

Paul, Barnabas and some others delivered a letter to the Gentiles, telling them they could become followers of Jesus without following the entire Mosaic law. They also outlined the things James had said to avoid.

“If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right,” they told the Gentiles.

St. John of Avila was born near Toledo, Spain, in 1500. When he grew up, his wealthy parents sent him to school to study law. Instead, he chose to live as a hermit for three years and was ordained a priest in 1525.

He had hoped to become a missionary to Mexico, but his archbishop sent him to minister in Andalusia in southern Spain, where he served for nine years. He was briefly imprisoned during the Spanish Inquisition, but after his release, he continued to evangelize.

John died in 1569, and we remember him on May 10.